Chapter Forty

Entering the building where Diane had worked for more than a decade as an outsider now, felt rather unnerving, she hadn't though it would affect her that deeply.

"Is everything all right?" Elsbeth asked after the two women stepped inside the elevator.

"Yes," Diane replied quickly, she wasn't aware that her feelings were so obvious that even someone who only knew her for three weeks could notice them.

"I'm excited to finally meet your husband," Elsbeth changed the topic tactfully at once and Diane appreciated it.

They understood each other quite well with her new associate, they had even shared a drink in a bar one afternoon after work before returning to their maternal duties. Diane had decided to take the case away from Chris and make Elsbeth her second chair so that Will wouldn't have to meet the guy again regularly. She was tired of defending herself all the time and she didn't want to be accused of poking the bear either, so it was the best solution for everyone. Elsbeth was a fast learner and Diane knew that she could count on her for support during the depositions.

"Diane, it's so nice to see you," the receptionist greeted her with a smile on her face.

"Hello, Karen. Nothing has really changed here since I left."

"Not really, we miss you though."

"It's a mutual feeling," she smiled, "Is my husband in his office?"

"I think so."

"Will you show Miss Tascioni to the conference room? I want to have a few words with Will."

"Of course."

She left the two women alone and headed to Will's office.

"Knock, knock," she said from the doorway and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"Hey," he smiled at her.

"I've come to talk to your boss because he makes you work too hard, but then I realized that you are him," she chuckled and approached him to sit in his lap.

It was a spontaneous idea, but it felt just right getting so close to him at once. Reminded her of old times, when she could do this regularly, she never heard him complain. She wanted for them to have some alone time before entering the arena again for another round. She was aware that depositions could get uglier than trials, it was essential to remind each other that no matter what happened inside that room they would always be on the same side.

"So what can I do for you?" he asked after greeting her with a kiss.

"Take me to dinner tonight," she suggested promptly to his biggest surprise.

It had been more than a month since their last dinner date and she started to lose her patience. He'd kept making promises lately that he'd ended up breaking all the time.

"That's very short notice," he smiled, probably to look less guilty than he felt.

"I spent half a day preparing the Thanksgiving meal last week, just because you insisted that we stay home so you can work all day and only showed up to eat," she didn't sound angry, didn't accuse him of anything, it was merely an observation and a reminder for him that they were due a night out.

"I had no choice," he reminded her.

"I know, but it's time you make up for it."

"Tonight?"

"Yes. I'll talk to your boss, maybe I can convince him," she said in a seductive tone and he was apparently in favor of the idea.

"How?"

"Let's see, I can use my charming smile."

She knew that he loved her smile, but she was sure it wouldn't be so easy to charm him into this.

"Hm…not sure it would be enough," he confirmed her suspicion.

"Then what about something more intimate? Like a kiss," she suggested casually and saw that he didn't need too much more convincing.

"Sounds better…for a start," he smiled and she leaned close to him, just to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

She jumped from his lap and took a step away from him.

"Yes?" Will asked and his second chair for the case, Lucy looked inside.

"Everyone is waiting for us in the conference room. Oh, hello Diane," she added when she spotted the other woman.

"Hello," Diane said shortly, trying to hide her frustration for being interrupted, especially by her.

"We'll be right there," Will replied and Lucy quickly closed the door.

"Her skirts are still too short, didn't we have a dress code here?" Diane asked sarcastically.

"I remember the time when your skirts were even shorter than hers," he replied, pulling her in his lap again.

"Really? How do you remember such small details?"

"Small? Yes, your skirts were indeed very small," he replied, placing a hand on the side of her skirt, slightly touching her legs.

"I can only hope it's not a habit of yours to observe the lengths of your employees' skirts. Ever heard of sexual harassment suits?" she teased him, not being bothered by the fact that others were already waiting for them.

"I have, but in case someone decides to sue me I can hire my wife to defend me," he said as his hand slipped under her skirt, fondling her thighs. It was rather disturbing in that particular moment, but she still didn't make him stop.

"And what makes you think I would defend you and not divorce you?"

"Because you know me and I know you," he replied and pulled back his hand from under her skirt, probably realizing that it wasn't the right time to turn her on, they had a whole day of hard work ahead of them.

"I want to kiss you now, but I'm afraid that someone might interrupt us again."

The second the last word left her mouth, his lips were already on hers, trying to prove her wrong, just when the phone started to ring.

"Yes?" Will sounded annoyed as he answered the call, "I have depositions in a few minutes…Today at 6?" he looked at Diane who rolled her eyes, "I have a business dinner," he said quickly, smiling at her, "All right, tomorrow at 10. Bye."

Diane leaned forward and kissed him right after he put down the phone, she was already looking forward to their 'business dinner'.

"Looks like my methods are working after all," she chuckled as she stood up from his lap and he pulled her back for another kiss before finally letting her go and followed her.